Embry...

I trudged to the car behind my mom and got in without saying a word. I didn’t want to do this. Dragons, big deal, I thought.
Dragons had been thought extinct for the longest time, but now that they’d returned, everyone regarded them as the top of the paranormal food chain. They were probably big, conceited assholes. Besides my family, my experience with big alpha types wasn’t good. They were arrogant, selfish, cruel bastards who reveled in demeaning anyone weaker.
“Embry, it’ll be fine. We’re going to have fun, eat lots of food, and have a good night,” my father said from the front seat.
I looked up and saw him gazing at me in the rearview mirror. I peered into his dark blue eyes and nodded. I loved my parents and they loved me. They’d always been there for me whenever I needed them. They were fiercely protective of me; I was their only child. For over seventy-five years they’d tried to have children, but never could. I’d been a surprise to them—a pleasant surprise.
We continued to drive, and I stared out the window at the passing scenery. I loved Belle Fort. It was a small mountain town in Montana. Most of the people were generally lovely.
It was summertime, and it was beautiful; my wolf longed to go for a run. Smelling all the different scents and feeling the wind blowing through my fur as I ran through the mountains and forest was incredible. I adored running as my wolf. I didn’t do it often, because of my omega status. I was always worried I would come across an asshole from the pack. I had to go with my father or James. I didn’t trust anyone else.
We turned on to James’s road, and cars filled the drive. My heart was beating with trepidation. I hated this. I bet Tom was here with his asshole friends, Chad and Rick.
Tom Spencer was the primary person who made my life hell. He was a young, strong beta wolf and had a large, muscular frame. Tom was good looking and the ‘popular guy.’ Everybody loved him; all the girls wanted to sleep with him, and all the guys wanted to be him. The problem was, Tom always sought to victimize those he considered weaker. And with me being an omega, I was his number one target.
As we parked in the drive, people filled the area. Damn, the whole pack really was here. I felt my heart thumping even faster. I was even more nervous around the pack than usual. My wolf, who was typically a coward, was standing and pacing in my mind, taking notice of the people and scents around us. I didn’t know what was going on.
I felt like my whole world was about to change in some way.
“Come on, Em, remember what your father said. ‘We’re going to have fun, eat lots of food, and have a good night.’ So, let’s go see James and get started on that,” my mother said soothingly.
I swallowed, nodded my head, and got out of the car. Many people started greeting my parents with smiles and hellos. They’d been part of the pack for a hundred years before I was born. Everyone loved them.
We made our way up the path, and with each step my heart beat faster and faster. I shook my head again and followed my parents through the door.
My cousin’s mate, Lydia, greeted us. She was a striking woman. I might be gay, but I could tell she was gorgeous. She had long, dark blonde hair and hazel-green eyes. She was at least five-nine, with long legs. As always, she was stylishly dressed. But as gorgeous as she was on the outside, her inside blew it away.
She was the most kindhearted, sweetest person you could ever meet and never had a bad word for anyone. She was also strong and assertive, standing up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves—including me. I loved her and was happy my cousin had found her.
“Uncle Danny, Aunt Toni,” she said, hugging my parents. “It’s so good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too, Lydia,” they replied.
“Em, I’m glad you’re here. James was worried you were going to find some way not to show up,” she said to me with a smile.
“Hi, L-lyds,” I said.
She smiled, hugged me, and whispered in my ear, “Don’t worry about anything. If it gets too much for you, you can go up to my room and read. I left my e-reader in there for you.”
I grinned at the thoughtfulness. This was why I loved Lydia and why she was the perfect alpha mate. She cared about the small things in the pack. I was excited and wanted to go upstairs now. I could escape to anywhere and be anything in my books.
But we had to speak to my cousin first. I scanned the room, looking for James, giddy that I had a book with my name on it and didn’t have to stay down here.
A flash of red caught my eye, causing my wolf to take notice. I turned and looked.
A massive mountain of a man stood on the other side of the room. He was standing next to an identical version of himself, but there was something about him that drew me. He was different, and I didn’t know why.
He was at least six-seven or eight. He had huge, muscular arms and a large frame. He had short dark red hair, an angular nose, and a strong jaw. He wore a black muscle shirt that molded to his body like a second skin. The red tartan kilt and black combat boots were something I’d never seen in real life, only in my dreams.
This was better than my dreams. I wondered what he wore underneath it.